Senator DI NATALE (Victoria) (12:09): Mr President, I seek leave to make a short statement. The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute. Senator DI NATALE: Mr President, I think it is critically important that we do support this motion, particularly on the back of the recent protests in Sydney. Multiculturalism is one of this country's enduring successes. There are people here, and right across the world, who are prepared to tear it down. We know that Geert Wilders has put in an application for a visa to come to this country and we know that there are members of this place who actually support his hateful views. We have had Senator Bernardi, who is currently in hiding in the UK, describe Mr Wilders as a 'charming and charismatic individual'. In fact, he supported his views and said he wanted to facilitate his visit to this country. Senator Cormann: Mr President, I rise on a point of order: I think that the comments that are made by the senator are not consistent with the requirements under the standing orders for brief statements. The PRESIDENT: I think you should withdraw that imputation. Senator DI NATALE: What was the imputation, sorry, Mr President? The PRESIDENT: I do not traverse. I am asking you to withdraw the imputation. Senator DI NATALE: I am not sure what I am withdrawing. The PRESIDENT: Thank you. Continue, Senator Di Natale. Senator DI NATALE: We have Senator Bernardi, who is, to use the opposition leader, Mr Tony Abbott's words, 'freelancing on the backbench'. Senator Cormann: Mr President, I rise on a point of order. There are requirements involved that are applicable to all senators when it comes to providing brief statements in the context of these motions. The senator is not complying with the requirements under standing orders in the context of brief statements. The PRESIDENT: I understood that the senator did withdraw the offending comments. Opposition senators: He didn't withdraw! The PRESIDENT: Let us just get it clarified: Senator Di Natale, you withdraw the offending comments in the statement that you made. Senator DI NATALE: I asked for clarification of the offending comments. The PRESIDENT: No, I do not clarify; I do not repeat offending comments. You are aware of what the offending comments are in respect of Senator Bernardi. Senator DI NATALE: The point is I am not aware. I just want some clarification. Senator Fifield: Mr President, I rise on a point of order: Senator Di Natale was reflecting on a member of the Senate, and he should withdraw that reflection. The PRESIDENT: That is correct. Senator Di Natale, you were reflecting on a member of the Senate; you should withdraw that. Senator DI NATALE: If those reflections relate to the words 'in hiding', I withdraw those. I do say, however, that not to support this motion is to condone Senator Cory Bernardi's support of Geert Wilders—a hateful, spiteful and corrosive figure. To not support this motion indicates support for those views.